[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son":3,"chapter-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-769":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Am the Xu Family's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2308547,4510,"Chapter 769: A Small Interlude of Good Fortune [Thank You! Again! 37K Words Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-769",769,"\u003Cp>The next day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingguo Lane,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at the main gate of Ningyuan Marquis House,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as the Huang family’s wedding procession arrived, the atmosphere around grew increasingly lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red silk ribbons were tied to the stone lions on either side of the Gu family gate, and crowds of onlookers lined the sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the steps before the Gu family’s main gate, between the two stone lions, Gu Tingye stood with his arms crossed, dressed in bright attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside Gu Tingye to block the gate were Gu family clan youths: Gu Tingxuan, Bing, Yang, Di, and others, including Yang Chenmin, the son of Gu Tingye’s aunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many Gu family youths and relatives, Xu Zaijing naturally did not need to join the blocking group; he merely stood aside at the gate, watching the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han, Qi Heng, and others also stood not far from Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wedding attendants accompanying Huang Qingyue, besides two young men from the Zhang family of Yingguo Duke, included several sturdy, sharp-eyed youths who looked like Huang Qingyue’s comrades-in-arms from the military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing recognized the two Zhang youths: they were the two sons of Zhang Fangyan, heir to Yingguo Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing had drunk with them at a banquet at Yingguo Duke’s mansion during winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The groom and his attendants dismounted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as Huang Qingyue stepped forward toward his brother-in-law Gu Tingye, he spotted Xu Zaijing standing nearby and smiled, bowing slightly—as if thanking him for not joining the gate-blocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The several sturdy youths beside Huang Qingyue followed his gaze, saw Xu Zaijing nodding in greeting, and began whispering among themselves or exchanging questioning glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief exchange, once they learned Xu Zaijing’s identity, their gaze toward him changed entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes now held much curiosity, admiration, and delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After their moment of delight, the several sturdy youths glanced again at the Gu family youths beside Gu Tingye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without much conversation, they exchanged a few glances, and the procession’s formation shifted—the sturdy youths quickened their pace and moved to the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing stood at the gate and shook his head: “Bad. Those few won’t hold them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng, standing nearby laughing, turned his head and said: “Jingge, what do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at the scene before the gate: “Yuanruo, the Gu family youths beside Er Lang have been sized up. Those lads beside Yuege are clearly battle-hardened veterans—Gu Tingbing and the others won’t be able to stop them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Really?” Qi Heng continued watching the gate, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s move closer. Otherwise, they’ll just walk straight into the Gu house.” Xu Zaijing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the several youths, now standing not far before Gu Tingye and the others, simply stared with smiling eyes at Gu Tingbing and the others—causing the Gu family youths to freeze their smiles and step back two paces, silent as the grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sturdy youths continued forward, smiling; the two Zhang youths bowed and smiled apologetically: “Greetings, Second Uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Gu family youths about to surrender without a fight, allowing Huang Qingyue’s party to enter the courtyard directly, the onlooker Qiu Niang hurriedly turned and ran inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rushed into the inner courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>where,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the scene was also lively: many noble ladies and officials’ wives strolled beneath the corridors, while the honored ladies sat indoors chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Niang’s slightly urgent voice came from outside the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Bai Lady, who had been laughing and chatting with relatives, turned her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?” Chang Mama, standing nearby, frowned at Qiu Niang as she entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Niang quickly bowed to the women inside and exclaimed urgently: “Madam, the young lads Huang Qingyue brought are formidable—our several brothers couldn’t hold them; they’re about to enter the courtyard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Bai Lady immediately turned toward the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room, the elders from the fourth and fifth branches of the Gu family wore uneasy expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>other female guests, seated farther from Bai Lady’s main chamber and seeing the open door, sent their maidservants to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maidservants hurried back and forth through the courtyard; soon, the news spread: “The Gu family youths at the gate couldn’t hold them—the Huang family’s wedding procession will enter the courtyard directly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests’ expressions and moods varied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was impossible no one envied Bai Lady, a merchant’s daughter, becoming a marquis’s lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that this had happened, those women who prided themselves on noble lineage and deep family roots smiled faintly and shook their heads, eagerly awaiting a spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Huang’s young lord entered the gate so easily, they’d have another gossip to share—perfect for later sneering behind Bai Lady’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lady Gu’s third daughter suffered in the Huang household, it would be perfect for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their leisure, they could gather and recount today’s events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the main hall,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ladies like Sun Shi, Wu Dainiangzi, Pan Dainiangzi, and others close to the family naturally felt anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dainiangzi rose in agitation, leaning forward to peer outside: “Tsk! What’s going on? We block the gate for festivity, but there’s also a hint of rivalry between the families.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The wedding party just arrived—less than a few breaths—and they’re about to walk straight in? Isn’t that saying our youths are all useless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the elder ladies from the fourth and fifth Gu branches looked even more displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth branch’s elder lady, blunt-tempered, glared and flung her handkerchief: “These Huang kids are so disrespectful! Coming to marry into our house and giving not a shred of face! Not decent at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>many noble ladies in the room covered their mouths with handkerchiefs or fans and whispered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dainiangzi shot her a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi glared, took several deep breaths, then smiled: “Sister, you don’t know—Huang’s young lord serves as Vanguard Commander under Yingguo Duke’s heir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the Battle of Keyimen, he was the first to break through the gate of the fortress, preventing the defenders from closing it! A lad who achieves such merit as Vanguard—how could he not be formidable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the murmurs among the noble ladies and officials’ wives instantly quieted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew only that the Huang heir had earned merit; they’d never heard this story from Sun Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifth branch’s elder lady, shrewd and calculating, quickly smiled: “Big Sister, look at our son-in-law—he’s truly capable. His future is assured!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests in the room chuckled and agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingmei, standing beside Bai Lady, exchanged a glance with her mother Sun Shi, then apologized to her mother-in-law: “Madam, this is my fault. I should have told Xiao Wu to join Er Lang in blocking the gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lady patted Pingmei’s hand, smiled at the fifth branch’s sister-in-law, then looked out at the Gu family maids and servants, saying: “We’ve talked so much—surely by now the groom should have entered the courtyard. Why no report yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>everyone in the room turned to look outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dainiangzi turned her head to her personal stewardess: “Jin Mama, go—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished, Wu Dainiangzi caught Jin Mama’s glance and turned to follow her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her line of sight, a young maid from beside Er Dainiangzi Yu Anyan was hurrying toward the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid’s figure drew the attention of many outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the fourth branch’s elder lady cried out: “Did the Huang family enter the courtyard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting quietly in the corner, Chai Lady shook her fan and said to Pingning Princess beside her: “This one never wishes for good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingning Princess, shielding her mouth with her fan, whispered: “Sister, in my father’s line, the fourth branch elder is still a senior—I can’t say much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But since my home is close, I’ve heard servants gossiping—since the split, the fourth branch’s life has been hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Chai Lady shook her head, looked at the entering maid, and said solemnly: “I hope Huang’s young lord doesn’t act rashly—misstep once, and he’ll plant a thorn in his in-laws’ hearts. That won’t help his future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingning Princess nodded, smiled at Chai Zhengzheng beside Chai Lady, then leaned forward to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s happening at the gate?” Yu Anyan, standing near Pingmei, asked anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did the elder brothers and uncles hold them back?” she added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young maid bowed to the women inside, met their anxious gazes, and said clearly: “Second Dainiangzi, Xu’s two young lords, Young Duke, Liang Liu, Yu’s second young lord, and others, held them back together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I came, Xu’s fifth young lord was testing the wedding attendants with questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the maid finished, the room’s atmosphere instantly lightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Mama, standing beside Bai Lady, nodded repeatedly with visible relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lady’s face broke into a genuine smile; after glancing at Sun Shi, she asked: “Oh? What did Jingge’s boy ask them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid replied clearly: “Madam, I heard something like ‘Hu Tao, Bao Tao, Quan Tao’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the ladies and noblewomen all showed puzzled expressions; the room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaodie, standing beside her elder sister Ni Qiuqiu among the Yongyi Marquis’s ladies, blinked and said: “Could it be the ‘Hu Tao, Bao Tao, Quan Tao’ from the military texts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the room turned to look at Xiaodie, making her flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dainiangzi laughed loudly: “Those boys of Tingye’s are all jinshi! And last winter, when Huang’s young lord got drunk at Zhu’s, it was Jingge’s boy who subdued him! So this isn’t just teasing—it’s a test!” Her words drew attention, easing Xiaodie’s tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wu Dainiangzi spoke, the room filled with warm laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lady quickly waved her hand and called to Chang Mama: “Mama, go warn them—don’t let them go too far, or they’ll delay Yuege’s entry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Mama hurried off with two maids toward the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi, standing nearby, smiled and shook her head. Wu Dainiangzi asked: “Sister, why do you keep shaking your head?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hualan exchanged a glance with her sister-in-law Xie Shi and smiled: “Big Sister, Mother’s shaking her head means: had she known Bai Auntie was so anxious, she should’ve told Wu Lang to just let them in right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Dainiangzi, Pingmei’s mother-in-law, smiled and glanced at the surrounding ladies: “Bai Sister, we think Hualan’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lady quickly waved her hand: “It’s not quite as urgent as Hualan says.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the room erupted again in warm laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the quiet interior of the room, Lady Chai smiled at Princess Pingning: “When I arrived, I thought Xu’s boy wouldn’t block the door—I figured he’d have nothing to do today—but then again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning nodded with a smile and whispered, “Just now I thought about it: the young lord chosen as best man for Huang’s boy must be a rising captain under Duke Zhang of England, someone capable and likely battle-tested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Princess Pingning spoke of “battle-tested,” she might as well have said: “has killed enemies and seen blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, Chai Zhengzheng kept nodding at Princess Pingning’s words: “Your Highness speaks truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning smiled and continued: “Only Jingge, who’s been to war and seen real scenes, can hold them in check! Anyone else might not manage it at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chai laughed: “But Gu’s eldest is a jinshi—surely he could quiet those boys?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning shook her head: “My eldest brother? He’d struggle too.” By generation, Princess Pingning should address Gu Tingyu this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chai glanced outside and added: “I’ve always seen Jingge as gentle and courteous, but today, to hold back those young lords, I wonder what sort of face he’ll show.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, Chai Zhengzheng, listening to the conversation, instantly recalled the scene from years ago when she first met Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her memory was still clear: compared to today’s Xu Zaijing, his face back then had been far younger and more immature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Gu family’s main gate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the sturdy youths beside Huang Qingyue bowed with a grin: “Young Master, Brother Zhang, I yield, I yield! Please spare me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then smiled at Gu Tingye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng smiled at Zai Zhang, nodded, and returned the bow: “Your courtesy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye, beaming at Huang Qingyue, laughed: “Big Brother, since this brother has conceded, consider your literary trial passed. Now, let’s move to the martial trial!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gu Tingye spoke, Madam Chang arrived at the gate with a smile, stepped beside Xu Zaijing, and whispered to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing listened, nodded, and murmured: “Madam, Erlang only causes a little commotion—won’t delay the auspicious hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Chang smiled: “Good. You’ve got it under control, Fifth Young Master—I’m at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another burst of merriment erupted at the gate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because they truly meant to block the wedding party, but for the sake of festivity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Huang’s best men and Xu Zaijing were all jostling and laughing, Huang Qingyue sensed the opening and slipped swiftly past Xu Zaijing, darting into the Gu family gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zai Zhang and the others stopped blocking, laughing as they followed Huang’s best men inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the gate, Huang’s servants and maids hurried to scatter copper coins and dried fruits; the Gu family gate grew even livelier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Gu family’s main hall,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Shi and Gu Yan Kai sat at the head, while Gu Tingye, Ping Mei, Yanran, and the younger children stood on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On both flanks stood the elder members of the Gu family’s minor branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi and Huang Qingyue, holding the red silk ribbon together, offered tea to Marquis Ningyuan Gu Yan Kai and Bai Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yan Kai and his wife were deeply moved—after all, Gu Tingyi was their youngest child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a round of advice and blessings, amid the Full-Fortune Woman’s calls, they stepped out of the hall and walked toward the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back to Shoushan Marquis’s mansion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu family’s bridal procession was long,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And observant townsfolk counted: the dowry for the Gu family’s third daughter totaled one hundred and eight chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bustle at Shoushan Marquis’s mansion was unseen by Xu Zaijing, for only Gu Tingye accompanied the bridal party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he came to Sheng’s school, Gu Tingye’s face was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During a break, Xu Zaijing probed gently and learned that former Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence, Yuan, had attended the wedding with his second son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to Liang Han, Yuan’s second son has a favored concubine—seems her surname is Zhu. Did you see her yesterday?” Xu Zaijing asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing in surprise: “Fifth Young Master, didn’t we already meet that Zhu concubine in Yangzhou? Why ask now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s eyes flickered, and he smiled: “Just curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye: “Oh! I saw her twice at the wedding—she brought a girl, seems to be Yuan’s eldest son’s daughter. Glanced at her—seemed decent enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded, fixing his gaze on Gu Tingye: “That’s all? Nothing else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! She’s a woman of the inner quarters—could I stare at her? Fifth Young Master, you’re acting strangely today!” Gu Tingye said, looking at Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minglan, who had turned her head to watch outside but listened intently to Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye’s conversation, shook her head in puzzlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This halted Qi Heng, who had turned back to speak to Changfeng but was watching Minglan; he smiled: “Sixth Sister, is something troubling you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minglan turned, bewildered: “Huh? Young Master, what are you saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2568,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e7044cd86c8f591dd022ee73f180efb4251a7abaa10c7f3da04cd754d2d20857","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-770","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-768",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]